Imaginations

 

I have to admit, my girls are pretty darn creative. I don't know how they come up with the things they do, or how they come up with all the games they play, but when you get Ava and Halle together, be prepared for hours of entertainment.

 

Since Colbie's birth, A & H have been playing extremely well together. I count that as a huge blessing from Heavenly Father, because it gives me time to take care of Colbie and I don't have to worry about the other girls.

 

I went downstairs the other day, and I found some sort of fort looking thing...

 

 

I was a little curious as to why there was a monkey in the basket, tied to a play kitchen utensil...Ava explained to me that it was her pirate ship and that the red basket was the anchor to the ship. Pretty clever, huh?

 

Then, I noticed  she had gotten into my toilet paper and made this...

 

 

a road!

 

I was pretty impressed with it. I mean, I would have never thought of making a road out of good ol' TP, but nothing beats a 5 year old's imagination!

 

I love that Ava and Halle are creative. I try not to get overwhelmed with all the messes they make every day because some of those messes are creativity in the making (and some are just plain messes). I never want to suppress their imaginations. I very much want them to think for themselves and to think outside the box.

Colbie - {2 Months}

Colbie is two months. Say what?

 

2 MONTHS!

 

I don't like it. Not one bit. She is coming out of the newborn stage, and starting the "baby" stage.

 

Life just couldn't be any sweeter with this little girl around.

She is the receiver of many smooches and cuddles...

and I think we're going to keep it that way.

 

 

This past month, she has started smiling when you talk to her,

and is figuring out how to use her voice.

 

She has also discovered her tongue.

 

 

Night time is probably the most difficult time for her.

She doesn't cry or anything...

She just loves to stay awake until about 11:30.

I try to put her down, but she just grunts and wiggles.

I rock her in the little bassinet while I catch up on Downton Abbey.

I've learned that she sleeps better when she has white noise, such as the bathroom fan, or some noise from an app I downloaded. (Yes, they have white noise apps. Crazy, right?)

She will sleep until about 6 a.m. and then eat, and will go back to bed, as long as I'm snuggling with her.

With the other two girls, I was adamant that they don't sleep in the bed with us at all...

but I just can't help but snuggling with Colbs. I love the feeling that once she's near me and can feel me, she goes right to sleep.

 

 

At her 2 month appointment, she weighed 13 lbs 2 oz (95th %) and measured 24 inches (also 95th %) and her head is measuring in the 60th %. She is a little chunk, that's for sure. She is already outgrowing 3 month clothing, which has left me scrambling. I planned on a smaller baby (because Ava and Halle were both smaller) and haven't stocked up on 3-6 or 6 month clothing yet. It's a good thing we have the semi-annual consignment sale in about 6 weeks so I can grab some cute clothes for wickedly cheap prices.

 

Colbie also had her shots. :( And that was the hardest I've ever seen her cry. But as soon as I picked her up, she was fine.

 

 

Oh, how I love this little girl. I feel just pure joy when I hold her or look at her.

I once read this quote somewhere, and it totally strikes home with me.

 

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

 

Blessing Photo's

We were able to bless Colbie on Christmas Sunday. I feel really bad that I didn't get any photos of the actual day, but I was just plain worn out after church. My brothers had driven all night to get to our house, and arrived at about 6 a.m. Sunday morning. I had been up pretty much all night with Colbie, and once my brothers arrived, I had to get my family ready for church.... And that's a big task, in and of itself. I mean, it's Christmas Sunday, so their hair has to look great, and they get to wear their fancy dresses.... plus I had to be to church an hour early to practice for two musical numbers I was in, and I was worried about feeding Colbie right before we left for church so she wouldn't be hungry during Sacrament meeting...

 

 

So, I didn't get any pics of her on her actualy day.... bummer. BUT, I did attempt a little mini photo shoot of her in her dress. I was stressed about finding a dress for her to wear. I kept looking online for dresses, but they were so darn expensive. I wasn't about to pay $100 for a dress she's going to wear one time. So, I finally found this cute white dress at Target for $20. Score. But, it was sleeveless. What kind of human make a newborn Christmas dress that's sleeveless?? Come on people....

So, I searched high and low for a little cardigan to go on top of it. My friend finally found one at Carter's, so I headed to the nearest one, which is about 25 minutes away. But it was totally worth it because my friend gave me a coupon to use for the cardigan. I know, I sound like a total cheap-o.... because I am.

 

 

Now I just had to worry about the headband. I like to have my girl have their own blessing dresses and headbands. Saturday night, I whipped up this little rosette headband with some tulle and a sweet little rhinestone center. I love the way it turned out, and I loved how it sparkled, just like her little dress.

 

 

Having Colbie blessed on Christmas Sunday was really special since our Colbie was presented before Heavenly Father to be given a name and a blessing. Naturally, our thoughts are turned to the Savior and his birth around Christmas time. And this year, I thought a lot about how Mary felt. Since I was still recovering from giving birth just a few weeks before, I kept thinking about Mary's labor and her recovery. Late at night, as I nursed Colbie, I thought about how Mary cared for Christ. As I would hold Colbie and snuggle her, I imagined Mary doing the same thing to her little son. While Jesus is the Savior of the world, there was a time when he was just a little newborn baby who needed to be fed every few hours and who needed to be rocked and held.

What a humbling calling Mary had as Jesus' mother. God entrusted her to raise His son, to care for Him, to nurture Him, and to protect Him as a child.

As I thought about these things, it gave me some insight as to how I must treat my children, for they are God's daughters as well.

 

 

I am so grateful for a husband that holds the Priesthood, and can give our daughters a name and a blessing. We didn't have any other family in the circle except for my dad, but we did have 4 of our closest friends join in the circle as well. It was a little sad not seeing any other family member there, but I am grateful for those who stood with Nate... for they have become like our family up here.

 

 

Our family has definitely been blessed by Colbie's little spirit. I have shed a lot of tears worrying about adding a third child to our family and how we're going to make it. I have shed a lot of tears in fear of having health issues, and things going wrong. I have shed a lot of tears over being so far away from family and them not knowing this sweet little girl of mine. But I know God has seen my tears, and that He understand them.  I have also shed tears of joy and thankfulness to Him for sending her our way.